Causalgiform pain was produced in adult rats(Sprague-Dawley) by the tight ligation of L5 and L6 spinal nerves. To verify the causalgiform pain, we tested spontaneous pain behavior', withdrawal sensitivity to the innocuous mechanical stimulation of Von Frey hair 2.35gm(mechanical allodynia); and withdrawal frequency to the cold stimulation of acetone (cold allodynia). The natural duration of causalgiform pain (control group, N=11) and the change of pain by surgical sympathectomy (sympathectomy group, N=9) was observed. The results were as follows 1) Mechanical allodynia(57.8%) and cold allodynia(63.2%) was induced on the postoperative 7th day. 2) Causalgiform pain was continued for 3 to 5 weeks in the control group. 3) Mechanical allodynia and cold allodynia was reduced significantly (P<0.05) after surgical sympathectomy in the sympathectomy group.
Acetone ; Adult ; Animals ; Hair ; Humans ; Hyperalgesia ; Ligation* ; Rats* ; Spinal Nerves* ; Sympathectomy

We report herein a case of perforating pseudoxanthoma elasticum in a 44-year-old female who was suffered from yellowish, crepelike, lax, redundant patches on her neck, axilla, antecubital area, groin, popliteal area bilaterally and serpiginous erythernatous plaqus in yellowish redundant patch of right axillary area. Asymptomatic erythematous papule developed on the previous biopsy site 20 days after taking biopsy. Histopathologically, short and gnarled abnormal elastic fibers, which are basophilic stained, are clumped in middle and lower dermis, and some fibers extend through epidermal channel to the surface of skin.
Adult ; Axilla ; Basophils ; Biopsy ; Dermis ; Elastic Tissue ; Female ; Groin ; Humans ; Neck ; Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum* ; Skin

PURPOSE: In the correction of cleft lip, there have been various methods to minimize recurrence of the nasal deformity after primary nasal surgery. After cheiloplasty and primary nasal surgery, we tried to elongate the columella of the cleft side, to stretch the vestibular lining of cleft side, and to elevate the alar cartilage of the cleft side with a molding prong. METHODS: We had fifteen cleft lip patients; 12 unilateral cases(6.3-8.2 months), and 3 bilateral cases(3 -7.5 months). Immediately after primary repair of the cleft lip, the toboggan shaped molding prong was located to deep inside of vestibular web of the cleft side. It was persistently suspended by a silicone tube which was connected to the prong and the frontal scalp. The results were analyzed with Photoshop(R) photogrammetrically for 6-48 months with on average of 20.6 months. We measured the proportion index of columellar length-interalar distance for three times(preoperation, immediate postoperation, and postoperation) on the nasal base views. RESULTS: In unilateral, the index had a significant increase statistically between preoperation(10.73) and immediate postoperation(23.96). It is supposed that columellar length was reconstructed to 105.80% of normal side. But, it was decreased to maintain 87.7% of normal side in postoperation(20.54). The results were similar in bilateral. The linear scars by suture penetrating nose skin were not discernable. CONCLUSION: In summary, placement of the molding prong could elongate the reconstructed columella with some relapse postoperatively.
Cartilage ; Cicatrix ; Cleft Lip* ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Fungi* ; Humans ; Nasal Surgical Procedures ; Nose ; Recurrence ; Scalp ; Silicones ; Skin ; Sutures

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Tonsillectomy is one of the most common operations in otolaryngology and is performed with various surgical techniques. It seems that there is no superior technique regarding post-tonsillectomy pain. We attempted to identify preferable methods of tonsillectomy in clinical practice by comparing the levels of postoperative pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between June 2009 and Jan 2010, 80 cases of tonsillectomy were performed. In Group A (age : 10-15 years, 40 cases), 20 cases involved tonsillectomy via snare. The other 20 underwent tonsillectomy using electrocautery. The same surgical division was applied in Group B (25-40 ages, 40 cases). All tonsillectomies were performed under general anesthesia by the same surgeon. RESULT: The mean duration of postoperative pain after tonsillectomy by snare and tonsillectomy by electrocautery in Group A was 5.2+/-2.1 and 6.7+/-3.7, respectively. The mean duration of postoperative pain after tonsillectomy by snare and tonsillectomy by electrocautery in Group B was 7.4+/-1.4 and 10.8+/-3.2, respectively. The results indicate that electrocautery is the more painful method of the two tested methods. The difference in post-tonsillectomy pain was statistically significant between the surgical methods. CONCLUSION: It seems that snare tonsillectomy is a useful method for reducing post-tonsillectomy pain compared with that after electrocautery tonsillectomy.
Anesthesia, General ; Cold Temperature ; Electrocoagulation ; Otolaryngology ; Pain, Postoperative ; SNARE Proteins ; Tonsillectomy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: As septal surgery is being performed more and more often, the incidence of septal perforation as a complication arising from the surgery has also increased. In septal surgery, if corresponding mucoperichondrial tears occurred on both sides, autologous cartilage is usually placed between the injured mucopercondrium. However, septal perforation is sometimes found after septal surgery even after this effort. The aims of this study were to introduce a new technique for the prevention of septal perforation during septal surgery using inferior turbinate mucosa and fibrin glue and to determine its usefullness by evaluating the treatment outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between June 2005 and May 2007, 358 cases of septal surgery were performed. Bilateral mucoperichondrial tears on corresponding areas occurred in 26 cases. In Group 1 (15 cases), autologous cartilage was inserted between injured mucoperichondrium. In Group 2 (11 cases), autologous cartilage was inserted and then was repaired using fibrin glue and inferior turbinate mucosa. The authors compared the perforation rate between the two groups. RESULTS: In Group 1, septal perforation occurred in 7 of 15 patients (46.7%) and in Group 2, 1 of 11 patients (9.0%) had perforation. Perforation rates were significantly lower in Group 2. CONCLUSION: The technique of using fibrin glue and inferior turbinate mucosa may be an easy, effective method for the prevention of septal perforation during septal surgery.
Cartilage ; Fibrin ; Fibrin Tissue Adhesive ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mucous Membrane ; Turbinates

The endemic status of clonorchiasis and metagonimiasis along the Geum-gang (River) in Okcheon-gun (County) in Korea was examined. From February to December 2000, stools of total 1,081 inhabitants living in 5 villages were examined. Each stool specimen was examined by both the cellophane thick smear method and the formalin-ether sedimentation technique. Egg-positive cases were further analyzed by Stoll's egg-counting technique, and praziquantel was administered to positive cases. The egg-positive rates for Clonorchis sinensis and Metagonimus species were 9.3% and 5.5%, respectively, and the double infection rate was 3.5%. The numbers of eggs per gram (EPG) of feces of C. sinensis and Metagonimus sp. were 918 +/-1.463 and 711+/-947, respectively. The egg-positive rates for C. sinensis and Metagonimus sp. in the riverside area were 14.2% and 8.4%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of the inland area (3.2% and 1.7%, respectively). The egg-positive rates of C. sinensis and Metagonimus sp. in males (16.7% and 10.0%) were significantly higher than those of females (3.5% and 1.8%). However, there were no significant differences of EPG values between localities and sexes. The prevalence of clonorchiasis and metagonimiasis in this survey was significantly lower than that in the previous reports. However, there is still a high prevalence of infection with C. sinensis and Metagonimus sp. in this region, especially in the riverside area.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Animals ; Child ; Clonorchiasis/*epidemiology/parasitology ; Clonorchis sinensis/isolation & purification ; Feces/parasitology ; Female ; Heterophyidae/isolation & purification ; Humans ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Parasite Egg Count ; Prevalence ; Rural Population ; Sex Factors ; Time Factors ; Trematode Infections/*epidemiology/parasitology

The management of orbital dystopia has ranged from camouflage procedure for minor deformity to vertical translocation of the displaced orbit for severe deformity. The purpose of this study is to provide a guideline for the selection of an appropriate surgical treatment according to the degree of the dystopia. Since 1989, 18 patients with orbital dystopia have been treated for all cosmetic reasons. There were 13 females and 5 males aged from 8 to 46 years (mean 18.8 years). Underlying pathology in our cases included traumatic (orbital floor and wall fractures and irradiation)(44%); congenital (cleidocranial dysostosis, dermoid cyst, facial clefts and idiopathic causes)(40%); and fibrous dysplasia(16%). In the coronal plane, thr orbital displacement ranged from 2 to 7 mm(mean 3.9 mm). Patients were grouped into severe(n=8), moderate(n=6), and mild(n=4) degree of dystopia. Orbital repositioning, such as vertical repositioning of the functional orbit, bone shaving, autogenous bone graft and alloplastic material implantation were performed in severe cases(>4 mm). Various eye leveling technique, such as autogenous bone onlay graft, alloplastic material implantation, medial and superior rotation of zygoma, and medial and lateral canthoplasties were performed in moderate (3 mm) and mild (< 2 mm) cases. The postoperative surgical result was assessed by ordinary scale method cephalometric analysis. There was no visual loss, infection, epilepsy, or asethetic complication. The preoperative findings of orbital dystopia were corrected or significantly improved following surgery in all patients after an average follow-up period of 59.2 months. The result of this study indicate that our method of surgical correction of vertical orbital dystopia according to the degree of the dystopia is resonably safe, rewarding and worthwhile to the patients.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Dermoid Cyst ; Dysostoses ; Epilepsy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Inlays ; Male ; Orbit* ; Pathology ; Reward ; Transplants ; Zygoma

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyse the characteristics, severity of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome (FHCS), pelvic adhesions and hematologic findings of incidentally founded FHCS in laparoscopy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 40 patients incidentally found laparoscopically as FHCS at the department of obstetrics and gynecology of Yeungnam University Hospital from Jan. 2001 to Dec. 2006. Severity of FHCS and pelvic adhesions were classified and characteristics of patients, hematologic findings, past medical histories and symptoms after surgery were analysed. RESULTS: The ages of the cases varied between 16 and 65 years old. Mean age of cases was 32.9 years. Indications of surgery were uterine myoma, benign adnexal mass, ectopic pregnancy, endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain and pelvic tuberculosis. From this study we can notice that FHCS can be found out most frequently in the patient with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Past medical history were pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, abdominal surgery and pelvic tuberculosis. 17 patients had been suffered from RUQ pain and 10 patients (58.8%) were in good health after adhesiolysis. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy is a confirmative tool in the diagnosis of FHCS. Direct observation of perihepatic space is the most definitive method of diagnosing this syndrome. From our study, we can find that FHCS can be diagnosed frequently in the patient with pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and pelvic tuberculosis. So, We recommend that investigating the perihepatic space during surgery is a good treatment especially in patients with PID, vague abdominal discomfort and pains.
Chlamydia Infections ; Endometriosis ; Female ; Gynecology ; Hepatitis ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Medical Records ; Myoma ; Obstetrics ; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease ; Pelvic Pain ; Peritonitis ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Ectopic ; Retrospective Studies ; Tuberculosis

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyse the characteristics, severity of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome (FHCS), pelvic adhesions and hematologic findings of incidentally founded FHCS in laparoscopy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 40 patients incidentally found laparoscopically as FHCS at the department of obstetrics and gynecology of Yeungnam University Hospital from Jan. 2001 to Dec. 2006. Severity of FHCS and pelvic adhesions were classified and characteristics of patients, hematologic findings, past medical histories and symptoms after surgery were analysed. RESULTS: The ages of the cases varied between 16 and 65 years old. Mean age of cases was 32.9 years. Indications of surgery were uterine myoma, benign adnexal mass, ectopic pregnancy, endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain and pelvic tuberculosis. From this study we can notice that FHCS can be found out most frequently in the patient with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Past medical history were pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, abdominal surgery and pelvic tuberculosis. 17 patients had been suffered from RUQ pain and 10 patients (58.8%) were in good health after adhesiolysis. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy is a confirmative tool in the diagnosis of FHCS. Direct observation of perihepatic space is the most definitive method of diagnosing this syndrome. From our study, we can find that FHCS can be diagnosed frequently in the patient with pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and pelvic tuberculosis. So, We recommend that investigating the perihepatic space during surgery is a good treatment especially in patients with PID, vague abdominal discomfort and pains.
Chlamydia Infections ; Endometriosis ; Female ; Gynecology ; Hepatitis ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Medical Records ; Myoma ; Obstetrics ; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease ; Pelvic Pain ; Peritonitis ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Ectopic ; Retrospective Studies ; Tuberculosis

It is generally considered that enteral feeding is superior to parenteral nutritional support. Thus enteral meal should be given whenever patients have proper gastrointestinal function to take enteral feeding. Because the morbidity and mortality for surgical jejunostomy have been reported as high as 50% and 10% respectively, direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy has been developed to reduce the morbidity and mortality. A 55-year-old male patient, who was suffering from dysphagia and oropharyngeal aspiration, was transferred to the division of gastroenterology to be done permanent enteral feeding. His stomach was resected (subtotal gastrectomy with billroth II anastomosis) due to peptic ulcer hemorrhage 10 years before. We performed direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy without any complication. Herein, we report a successful case.
Deglutition Disorders ; Enteral Nutrition ; Gastrectomy* ; Gastroenterology ; Gastroenterostomy ; Humans ; Jejunostomy* ; Male ; Meals ; Middle Aged ; Mortality ; Nutritional Support ; Peptic Ulcer Hemorrhage ; Stomach